CINCINNATI -- Danny Salazar is leaving Arizona.

Salazar is scheduled to pitch for Double-A Akron on Thursday. It’s a significant step for the right-hander, who has been at the Tribe’s Spring Training facility in Goodyear, Ariz., since the end of January.

“It gets him out of Arizona and in a stadium under lights and more of an atmosphere,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “It will be interesting to see how he responds to that. He’s excited to get out of there, so that’s the best sign.”

Francona said Salazar will likely pitch more than two innings on Thursday.

Salazar has not appeared in a Major League game since Game 4 of the 2017 ALDS against the Yankees. He then dealt with right rotator cuff tendinitis at the start of last season before undergoing arthroscopic surgery in July.

The Indians will at some point need to decide whether Salazar will serve as a starter or reliever when he’s ready.

“We’re going to keep him on a five-day starter routine and see how he responds to it,” said Francona. “If we have to make a decision at some point, we will. I think this is the best way to go about it.”

Salazar is 38-33 with a 3.82 ERA in 108 appearances, including 104 starts for the Tribe since debuting in 2013.

Additional injury updates

Right-hander Corey Kluber, who’s recovering from a fractured right forearm, has started long-tossing. The next step for him is to throw a bullpen, but Francona said he’s not ready yet.

Right-handers Dan Otero and Jefry Rodriguez resumed throwing while the Tribe was on its current road trip. Otero is dealing with right shoulder inflammation, while Rodriguez is working his way back from a right shoulder strain. There is no timetable for either of their returns.